The Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors of 2019

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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that could become deadly if ingested in high enough amounts. That’s why, in addition to a smoke detector, every home should have a carbon monoxide, or CO detector. You can either buy one on it’s own or add it to your existing security system. Whatever your situation, here are my picks for 2019’s best carbon monoxide detectors in terms of design, features, installation, and of course, mobile application. Let’s get started!

Nest Protect

Nest Protect

Nest Protect

Nest is one of the best smart home companies around, which is why it's no surprise that their smoke and CO alarm Nest Protect is one of our top picks.

Nest Protect

Nest Protect

Especially if you already have Nest products in your home, then you should definitely consider Nest Protect, which detects both smoke and carbon monoxide. It works with a ton of other connected devices so you can automate your smart home the exact way you want.

Pros: When it comes to making your life convenient, the Nest Protect goes above and beyond, glowing green when it’s tested itself and it’s batteries are good, and even lighting up so you can see better at night. You’ll be able to control and monitor Nest Protect through the Nest app. Plus, the device itself offers voice alerts, color-coded light alerts, plus an 85-decibel siren to make sure that if dangerous CO levels are detected, you’ll be the first to know.

Cons: Like many Nest products, Nest Protect is very expensive when compared to it’s competitors.

First Alert Smoke and CO Detector

First Alert Smoke and CO Detector

The First Alert Smoke and CO Detector is more than just an environmental monitor. With an Alexa integration, you can also have it play music, read you the morning news, or even read you an audio book; oh yeah, and it will keep you incredibly safe as well.

Pros: If the First Alert Smoke and CO Detector detects dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, it will let you know via low battery alerts, color coded alerts, along with mobile notifications on the Onelink Home by First Alert app. If your alarm is going off unnecessarily, you can silence it by pressing a single button. It’s also an affordable price, about half of some competitors that I’ve reviewed.

Cons: You’ll have to pay a small monthly fee to use the OneLink Home by First Alert app, which has pretty poor ratings from iPhone and Android users.

Kidde 21026043

Kidde 21026043

If there are dangerous carbon monoxide levels in your home, you’ll want to be told in as many ways as possible. That’s why the Kidde 21026043 made the list, with low battery alerts, color-coded light alerts, voice alerts, and even mobile notifications!

Pros: Since the Kidde 21026043 is connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll never miss an alert from their app, called Kidde RemoteLync for Android and RemoteLync for iOS. The detector tests itself to make sure it’s still working. Plus, it has an 85 decibel siren, ensuring that someone who is home can hear it and take action.

Cons: Unfortunately, Android users weren’t too thrilled with the Kidde RemoteLync app, which only has a 2.4 rating on the Google Play store.

SimpliSafe Carbon Monoxide Detector

SimpliSafe Carbon Monoxide Detector

If you’ve been on my website before, then you’re probably already familiar with SimpliSafe, one of the top security brands around today. Their CO detector is battery-operated with a life of five years, so all you do is stick it on the ceiling and you’re done.

Pros: This detector has a built in 85 decibel siren, about as loud as a passing diesel truck or snow blower to make sure everyone in he house can hear it. I recommend doing a paid plan to get 24/7 professional monitoring and cellular backup, as that’ll get you phone notifications if the alarm goes off when you’re not home. It will also make sure your CO detector will stay on even if the power goes out, which is super important.

Cove CO Detector

Cove CO Detector

With a battery life of over five years, you can rest assured that the Cove CO Detector will keep on keeping on, even after years of service. It’s also part of the Cove security system, which is one of my favorites in general.

Pros: Aside from the detector’s super long battery life, I also love that it works with Amazon Alexa, allowing for voice commands. You’ll receive notifications about the Cove CO Detector on the Cove Security app, highly-rated by iPhone and Android users alike. Plus, it tests itself every 60 minutes so you know it’s working properly. With carbon monoxide levels, there’s no room for error.

Cons: Cove requires that you pay for professional monitoring and cellular backup and that you have the Cove Touch security panel, so it’s not the cheapest option around.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Methodology

If you’re shopping for a carbon monoxide detector yourself or are just curious as to how I picked the above choices, here are some things to look for:

Siren: Your CO alarm should have a built-in siren of at least 85 decibels or higher to make sure that everyone in the house can hear it if it goes off, regardless of where they are.

Power source: The majority of the CO detectors I’ve reviewed are battery-operated, although hardwired is also available. This comes down to your personal preference, although I will say that battery-operated devices are typically much easier to install than hardwired. However, with hardwired, you never have to worry about the battery running out.

Self-testing: Your CO detector should test itself multiple times a day for connectivity as well as battery power, if applicable. The Nest Protect, for example, tests itself over 400 times a day.

Alerts: Whether or not it’s connected to an application for mobile alerts, your CO detector should have color-coded lights, sound, and even voice alerts.

Smart platform integrations: If you’re already part of the Amazon or Google smart home ecosystems, then you might want a CO detector that works with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice commands.

Installation: Most CO detectors have easy, DIY installation, although you can also opt to get them professional installed for an additional fee.

App: If the CO detector is WiFi-enabled, then it should have a mobile application with three stars or more on the Apple or Google Play stores.

Professional monitoring: If it’s part of a larger security system, then 24/7 professional monitoring might be available for a monthly or yearly fee, which I recommend.

Cellular backup: If the CO detector isn’t battery-operated, then you’ll want some form of backup, be it cellular or landline, to make sure it’ll stay on in a blackout.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Tips

Installing and maintaining your carbon monoxide detector is literally a matter of life and death, so here are some best practices:

Where to install your CO detector: You should put your CO detectors outside each bedroom and ideally on all floors of your home.

Testing your CO detector: If your CO detector isn’t self-testing, you should test it yourself at least once a month and make sure it’s batteries are good.

What to do if your CO detector goes off: If your CO detector sounds, immediately leave your home and alert everyone in your family to do the same.

Recap of the Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors of 2019

Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached the end of our review. If you still have some questions about the best CO detectors of 2019, leave a question or a comment below. Carbon monoxide detectors are one of the most important things you can buy for your home, so make sure to do your research before purchasing!

Published on September 10, 2019

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Gabe Turner is an attorney and journalist with a passion for home tech and secure, efficient living. Since graduating from NYU Law, he has maintained a paradoxical existence of trying to live life adventurously while remaining staunchly risk-averse. He is torn by the dual desires of wanting to only be in Brooklyn writing about housing policy and smart home tech and aspiring to visit his friends scattered across the globe. Gabe believes that stable, safe communities are the cornerstone to a vibrant and healthy society, and it is this passion that brought him to contribute to Security Baron.